Context
Young victims and perpetrators of violence are twice as likely to attend youth clubs compared to those without any direct experience of violent crime, according to a survey of 10,000 teenagers. The survey found that three in five victims of violence and two-thirds of perpetrators of violent crime attended youth clubs. Meanwhile, the proportion drops to three in ten among young people without any direct experience of violent crime, according to research by the charity Youth Endowment Fund.
This Institute of Fiscal Studies research found that teenagers impacted by youth club closures over the last 14 years were 14% more likely to commit crimes than those with clubs in their area. Last month the government announced that £26mn of new funding would be allocated to youth clubs to buy new equipment and renovate sites as part of its £185mn National Youth Strategy.
The context above links directly to our work with young people in the following ways:
1. Targeting At-Risk Groups
The survey shows that young victims and perpetrators of violence are more likely to attend youth clubs. This aligns with our work, as many of the young people we support are likely to fall into these categories. We actively engage with at-risk groups to help them access education, training, and employment opportunities as alternatives to engaging in negative or criminal behaviours.
2. Providing Positive Alternatives
Youth clubs act as safe spaces for young people, much like Leicestershire Cares as we provide 1-1 to Support, work tours, and employability events. Our work helps these young people to find structure, build self-esteem, and work towards positive goals, reducing their chances of being drawn further into cycles of violence or crime.
We achieved several successes this quarter as we supported participants in accessing education, employment, and training opportunities. One highlight was the Craft Your Future event facilitated by Pedestrian. This session was designed to help participants reflect on their personal goals and embrace positive thinking through creative tools like vision boards and affirmation jars.
This quarter, Leicestershire Cares also hosted a Power to Change Conference. We were tasked with hosting a workshop focussed on the Criminal Justice System. A lot of time and effort was invested in planning and the feedback from attendees of the Criminal Record Workshop was overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees reflected on the workshop’s impact and expressed a desire to implement changes in their workplaces to support individuals with criminal records. Our successes are as follows:
- 26 referrals received
- 7 referrals continued from previous quarters
- 6 YP attained or continued in education, employment, and training
- 1 Craft your Future Event delivered in collaboration with CGI, and Pedestrian
- 2 business members involved in various events
- 1 Criminal Record Workshop delivered by Dr. Nicola at the Power to Change Conference
if you are a business and you would like to get involved in the work that we do by providing valuable work experience/work trials, please get in touch using the email address below.
Youth Justice Project Development Manager
Chikodi Lori
chikodi@leicestershirecares.co.uk
To read about our Power to Change approach, click on the link below:
For more information and insight into the VIP Project click the links below:
YOUTH JUSTICE MOCK INTERVIEW SESSION | Leicestershire Cares
Man Cave Participants Dive into Finance and Business Strategy | Leicestershire Cares
Youth Justice Health and Wellbeing Day- Create Your Own Smoothie | Leicestershire Cares
Case Studies
VIP PROJECT CASE STUDY: R.M | Leicestershire Cares
